Rishabh Pant is yet to leave a mark in the shortest format of the game for India, but former cricketer Suresh Raina has tipped the wicketkeeper-batter to be the X-factor alongside Hardik Pandya in the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in Australia.
Team India haven’t won an ICC trophy since 2013 and they are due to open their T20 World Cup 2022 campaign against arch-rivals Pakistan at MCG on October 23.
"I would say the presence of a left-handed batter would be very important in the middle," Raina said in an exclusive interview with PTI on Friday (October 14).
He added: "From No. 1-6, we don't have a left-hander and I'm sure the opponents will have two-three left-handed bowlers. We have seen it in the past -- 2007, 2011 and 2013 -- the role Gauti, Yuvi Pa and I played.
When asked whether India should prefer Pant over Dinesh Karthik as the wicketkeeper-batter, Raina replied: "You need to bring the X factor with Hardik and who can be the X factor? I think Rishabh being a left-hander could be better."
According to Suresh Raina, the left-right combination in the middle is needed to upset the rhythm of the rival bowlers.
"When Yuvi Pa and I played, we would scare the opponents. Now Rahul, Rohit will have to decide how they have to go about it. I'm sure they must be thinking over it, but whoever they play, we have to win."
Ever since his return to the Indian T20I team thanks to the IPL 2022 exploits for RCB, Karthik is playing the role of a designated finisher. Thus, it is unlikely that India would go for two wicketkeeper batters in the same playing XI.
"DK has got an opportunity, he has been given a role. But I'm not saying whether they should prefer Pant over DK. Whoever gets a chance, needs to take a lot of responsibility and win the game," said Raina.
"A left-right combination can upset the rhythm, especially when the grounds in Australia are big. It's important to have a left-handed batter in the middle. Pant has done really well in Australia and won the Test series there. So we'll see."
Raina also has high hopes from star all-rounder Hardik Pandya, calling him the “main player” for the team.
"Remember Pandya would be the main player for Team India. He will bowl those crucial overs in the powerplay and some in the middle and his role would be most important when he comes on to bat, when we would be needing 60-70 runs off 30 balls. So his role would be very important for Team India to win the World Cup."
The Indian top-four batters have been in good form lately and Raina expects them to score big to take the pressure off Hardik.
"The opening partnership between Rohit and KL will be very, very crucial, they have all the big shots in their repertoire. Then we have the likes of Virat, Surya in top-four.
"They have to score big runs as if you go deep, you don't have any other batter other than Hardik who can go for the chase."
Showing his faith in captain Rohit, Raina said: "He was there when India won the first World Cup in 2007, now he's gone there as a captain. I'm sure he can bring back the trophy home.
"I feel the team is in full form, we have ticked all the boxes. It's about playing 40 overs well, and taking one game at a time. So getting a good start against Pakistan and taking the momentum will be very important.
"It won't be easy, they have to play their A game, there will be pressure, they have to work hard. Australia, England are looking strong and Pakistan and New Zealand both are doing well."
(With PTI inputs)
